Throttle and horn control apparatus



G. S. HEATH.

THROTTLE AND HORN CONTROL'AAPPARATUS.

APPLICATloN FILED AUG.4, 1922.

1,430,229, Patented Sept. 26, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

G. S. HEATH.

THROTTLE AND HORN CONTROL APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.4, |922.

1,430,229, Patented Sept. 26, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

i I A 66059@ 5 H'fa, @md 7X 7%@ Patented Sept. 26 i922.

Simili? tif .ip lil GEORGE S. HEATH, OFk CHCAGO, ILLINOIS.

'rnno'rrnn AND nonni CONTROL APPARATUS.

Application filed August 4,- 1922. Serial No. 579,563. l

T 0 @ZZ w tem t may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE S. HEATH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented. certain new and useful Improvements in Throttle and Horn Control. Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

T his invention pertains in generalto automobiles, and has more particular reference to a control for the throttle and also for the horn, and which are so 'located as to be readily accessible to the driver.

Some automobiles as marketed, and especially a popular and well-known make of car, have the throttle lever located beneath the steering wheel, the shaft or rod in this instance, from which the lever projects, being disposed outside the steering post,

handy and inaccessible position, vand its manipulation usually requires the removal from the wheel of the' drivers hand.

The more expansive makes of cars have the throttle lever and horn button both located above the steering wheel in a convenient and accessible position, but in order to do this the shaft or rod upon whichr the throttle lever is mounted extends through the center of the steering post instead of being disposed alongside thereof, as in the cars previously mentioned.

The primary purpose of my present invention is to provide an attachment for cars in which the throttle lever is located beneath the steering wheel, which will enable the driver to manipulate the throttle from a convenient location above and near the center of the steering wheel.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide a horn controll button which ywill also be located in a convenient and readily accessible position above the steering wheel and preferably centrally thereof.

A further object is to provide an attachment of the character indicated which in one of its preferred forms may be quickly and easily attached to cars already in use and without change or modification of the steering wheel or throttle mechanism with which the car is customarily equipped.

Still another object is to provide an apparatus which will be simple inconstruction` economical to manufacture, one which will The throttle lever, however, is in an un#` be strong and durable, and which `will present an attractive appearance in addition to being serviceable and easy tomanipulate.

@ther advantageous features of thisr invention should be readily apparent as the same becomes better understood by yreference to the fol-lowing descriptionwhenlconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings :y

Referring to the drawings :L y'Fig'. l is `a plan View of the central portion of a steering wheel equipped with .my invention-g y n Figs. 2 and. 3 are sectional views on the lines 2 2 and 3-3k respectively, of Fig. l;

F ig. i is a sectional view on the line ffl-4 ofFig. 3;

Fig.y 5 is a fragmentary plan view of a modification of the invention; andk c F ig. 6 is a sectional detail onthe line 6*@ or Fig. 5. v

Referring now to the drawings more in detail, reference character indicates generally a steering post of any preferred' construction, upon rwhich is mounted lthe hub G of a steering` wheel, the rim of Iwhich (not shown) is connected tol thefhub by a plurality of radial spokes 7. The wheel is fastened to the top of the'post, usually by a cap screw 8, and` thethrottlerod or shaft 9 extends parallel with and alongside'the post 5 to a point` somewhat beneath the steering wheel where kitis provided with a laterally projecting throttle rlever 11. The

structure thus far'described is standard construction and it is with the aim of enabling the manipulation of the throttley lever ll from a point above the steering` wheel that my present invention was devised.

Thea )paratus of my invention,comprises a lpair of internaly gear rings indicated by l2 and 13 respectively, which, when the apparatus is assembled, are disposed respectively above and beneath the spokes of the steering wheel. Each. ring has secured thereto a pair of flanged rings 14C, the flanges l5 of which `extend inwardly at opposite sides of the -teeth 16 of the gear rings and are flared apart, as willr be apparent fronry Figs. 2 and 3, toprovide a flaring inwardly opening' guide or raceway by lwhich the rings are supported, y as `will be later eX- plained. i

Upon two of ythe oppositely disposed spokesof the steering wheel, Imount supporting brackets, each of which comprises an upper member 17, overlying the spoke and a companion member 18 disposed beneath the spoke, the two members being secured together' by bolts19 whereby they are securely clamped to the spoke. The outer end of each member 17 carries a vertically disposed bearing 21 in which is journaled a vertically disposed shaft having` lixedly attached to its ends projecting beyond the bearing a pair of tapered rollers 22. These rollers are adapted to iit in the raceways formed by the .flanges 15 so t-hat the two gear rings are rotatably supported by these rollers above and beneath the spokes of the steering wheel.

The rollers, at one'end at least of each bracket member, are provided with gear teeth 23 adapted to mesh with the internal teeth 1'6 of their respective rings, and while all of the rollers may be thus equipped, 1 have found that one set of gear rollers will operate satisfactorily but that two sets as shown are preferable, in which case the other two sets of rollers, indicated by reference character 24, may be plain, instead of toothed, serving therefore merely as supporting elements for the respective gear rings, while the other sets serve not only as supporting elements, but also provide a mechanical connection between the upper and lower rings so that the rotative movements of one ring will be transmitted to the other.

The lower ring 13 is provided at one side with an obliquely projecting bifurcated arm 25 which is equipped with a pair of downwardly extending spaced fingers 26 and 27 adapted to straddle the throttle lever 11. Upon these lingers there is slidably mounted a pair of grooved rollers 28 which embrace the throttle lever. It will be apparent therefore that any rotative movement of the lower gear ring will impart a similar movement to the throttle lever 11, but since this lever is mounted eccentrically with respect to said lower ring, a relative movement between this lever and the lingers in a direction longitudinally of the lever 11 will necessarily take place, which movement is pei@ mitted without undue friction as the result of the provision of the rollers 28.

The upper ring member and the top of the central portion ofthe wheel are covered by a cap plate 29 secured at intervals by screws 31 to the upper ring, and from this cap plate there projects in a radial direction, an operating lever or handle 32 by means of which the ring may be rota-ted.

Assuming that adjustment of the throttle is desired, the lever 32 may be actuated to rotate the upper ring in a clockwise or coun ter-clockwise direction, as desired. This movement causes a rotation of the upper gear rollers 23 which mesh with the teeth of the upper ring, and since both these rollers and the lower rollers fixed on the same shaft, the rotary movements of the upper ring will be transmitted directly to the lower ring which carries the lingers 26 and 2T, thereby swinging the throttle lever 11 to effect the desired adjustment of the throttle. 1t will be manifest that these moveH ments of the gear rings do not appreciably affect the steering wheel, since only a rotary movement of thesgear rollers about their own axes is imparted by rotative movement of the rings. Furthermore, manipulation of the throttle lever control or the maintenance of the same in adjusted position is not effected by steering movements of the steern ing wheel for the reason that when this wheel is rotated, the gear members 23. by reason of the 'fact that their friction of rotation is less than the resistance to movement of the lower ring, will simply revolve idly and travel with the steering wheel with out transmitting any movement to the gear rings.

rllhe central portion of the cap plate 29 is preferably elevated, as indicated by reference character 33 in Fig. 3, and upon this elevated portion 'there is mounted a push button 34 which is normally held in elcvated position by spring 35 and carries a contact member adapted to be depressed against the force of the spring into engagement with the top of the cap nut 8, thereby closing the circuit which actuates the horn. ln order that the circuit may be thus established, the steering wheel spokes are insulated from the gear rings by suitable insulation 36 interposed between the spokes and the opposed clamping members 17 and 1S,

The circuit wire 3i' connected in series with the horn and the source of electrical energy is attached to the lower gear ring as indicated at 38, and in order to prevent the circuit from grounding through the throttle lever, the rollers 2S are made of suitable insulating material, such as rubber or other well-known insulating compounds. The steering post 5, of course, is grounded and when the control button is depressed ln'inging the contact plunger into contact with the cap nut 8, the circuit closed from the wire 37, the gear rings, their connecting gears and shafts, the cap plate 29, the push button and thence through the steering post to ground.

1n the modified form of the invention shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the supporting rollers 24 and gear wheels 23, instead of being carried by brackets attached to the wheel spokes 7, are mounted directly in the spokes. The spokes in this instance are provided with vertically disposed bearing openii iu which are mounted beari g sl eves Al1 4surrounded by collars -i-2 of insulating material to `insulate the rollers from the wheel. llllhile 'the bearing sleeves may be secured in position in any approved manner, KLl have shown for illustrative purposes, set screws 43 adapted to clamp the bearing sleeves in position. For convenience in assembly the bearing openings through they bearing'rings may be positioned eccentrically, Ithereby affording provision for adjustment ot the rollers relatively to thesurrounding rings.

lWhile the throttle and horn control may be embodied in one apparatus as illustrated, the throttle operating mechanism may be employed without the horn control button, if desired, and similarly the horn control feature may be utilized alone il" preferred in which instance the rings will be plain instead oit provided with gear teeth and will be supported by the rollers, vthe rings in this instance serving merely as an electrical. con ductor for conveying current from a point beneath the wheel to the horn button located above the wheel.

lt should be manifest from the foregoing that l have provided an apparatus which positions the horn control button and the throttle control mechanism, or either, in convenient and accessible position above the steering` wheel, and that they may both be manipulated, as desired, without interference with the steering movements of the wheel and without being interfered with by movements of the wheel. The apparatus is simple in construction, economical to manufacture and easy to assemble and can therefore be quickly applied by unskilledr labor Without disturbing any oi the normal equipment of the car with the single exception oi changing the wiring of the horn circuit.

t is believed that the construction, operation, and many of the inherent advantages of this invention will be understood and appreciated without further description, and it should be manifest that the structural details illustrated and described are capable of wide variation and modification without departing` from the essence of the invention as deiined in the following claims.

l claim:

il. The combination with a steering wheel, and a throttle lever disposed beneath said wheel and outside'the steering post, of a manually operable device above the wheel, and a connection between said device and said lever for transmitting movement of the device to said lever without aiiecting movements of said wheel.

2, rllhe combination with a steering wheel and post, of a manually operable device above said wheel, a throttle actuating device below said wheel and outside said post, and an operative connection between said devices extending` through said wheel outside said post, whereby the throttlemay be actuated from above said wheel without intertr-nence with the wheel movements.

3. rlhe combination with a steering wheel,

' steering a steering post and throttle 'lever beneath said wheel and outside said post, of nica ,s operable fromabove said wheel for manipulating said throttle lever. i

fl. f'l" he combination or" a steering. wheel, a

st ering post, a throttle lever beneath said wheel, and means rotatable concentrically 'with the wheel and operable from above the wheel whereby the position oit said 'throttle lever may be adjusted.

' 5. in. an apparatus of the chara described, the combination of a pair of geary rings adapted to be disposed respectively above and beneath a steering \vhecl,tluottle levelI actuated means carried by the lower ring, means whereby saidfrings are supported from said wheel, and means for transmitting rotative movements ci" one ci said rings to the other oii said rings;`

6. in an apparatus of the character described, the combination ot' a pair ot internal gear rings, means torrotatably supporting said rings respectively above and beneath a steering wheel, means whereby the upper ring may be rotated, means for transmitting movements of said upper ring to said lower ring, and throttle lever actuating means carried by said lower ring.

7. ln an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a pair of gear rings provided with internal teeth and with inwardly opening flaring guideways, tapered rollers adapted to engage in said guideways whereby the rings are supported, means for mounting said rollers upon the spokes of steering wheel, means including gears for connecting said rings, and throttle lever actuating means carried by one of said rings. 8. ln an apparatus of the character de'- scribed, the combination of an upper gear ring provided with a guideway and an operating handle, a lower gear ring provided with a guideway and throttle lever actuating means, ring supporting rollers adapted to engage in said guideways, and means for transmitting rotativek movements from one of said rings to the other of said rings, said means including gear wheels secured together and meshing with -the teeth oit the respective rings.

9. in an apparatus oit the character de scribed, the combination of a plurality of tapered r llers adapted. to be carried by wheel above and beneath the plane of. said steering wheel, ring gears provided with flared raceways adapted to engagesaid rollers and to be supported thereby above and beneath said wheel, gears rigidly connected together and adapted "to mesh with the teeth of said gear rings respectively, throttle' lever actuating' means carried bythe lower of said gear rin njs, and means whereby said upper gea; rings may be rotated relatively to said wheel, *n i ll). ln an apparatus ot the character de scribedvw the combination ot a pair of gear rings, means adapted to be mounted upon a steering Wheel 'for rotatably supporting` said rings above and beneath said Wheel respectively, a cap plate covering` 'said upper ring,` and the central portion of said "Wheel, a circuit closing button mounted on said cap plate and adapted to make Contact with a portion of the Wheel, a handle also carried by said plate by which said upper ring is rotated7 lingers carried b v said loxver ring, and insulating` grooved rollers slidably mounted on said 'fingers and engaging the opposite sides of a throttle lever.

ll. ln an apparatus of the cha acter described, the combination of a pair of gear rings7 means for rotatably supporting` said rings respectively above and beneath a steel ing Wheel, means for electrically insulating said rings from said Wheel, a horn control button carried by the upper ring and adapted to make electrical contact with said Wheel, throttle lever actuating` lingers carried by said lower ring` in position to actuate a throttle lever beneath saidnvheel, and means for electricallY insi'ilatingl said {insel-s from .i t said lever.

l2. ln an apparatus ol' 'the character def scribed7 the combination al a pair of rings adapted to be disposed respectively above and beneath a steering` Wheel, means tor supporting said rings and establishing' an electrical connection between the sane, said rings being electrically insulated from said steering; Wheel, an electrical connection to the lower ring7 and a circuit closer coi'inected with the upper rin` and adapted upon actuation to make electrical connexion with vvthe steering Wheel.

18. ln an apparatus el" the character flcscribed the combination oit a pair ol rings, means whereby said riiiifs supp 'l respectivelyY above and bea h a steringr Wheel., said rings being' electrically connect ed together but insulated from said WheelA and means above the wheel whereby an elevtrical connection may be established lietwe'i said rings and said Wheel.y

GEORGE il. lfl lila/Pl l. 

